Ray Rice says he would donate his entire 2016 salary to charity if signed by an NFL team this season.

Rice has been out of football since 2014 after being suspended at the start of that season for domestic violence.

"All the scrutiny that I've got, it was deserved, because domestic violence is a horrible thing," Rice told USA Today.

"Me donating my salary is something that'll be from the heart for me. I only want to play football so I can end it the right way for my kids and for the people that really believed in me. But I know there's a lot of people affected by domestic violence, and every dollar helps. It's raising awareness.

"People need homes. People need shelter when they're in a crucial situation. I've donated a lot of money to charities, but I had a situation where it was a national crisis. I'm not saying I'd be (donating the salary) to get on the field, but it's something that will show where my heart is. My heart is about finishing the right way and helping people along the way."